Arras-Madrid-Dakar: Stage six news update

January 2, 2002
Stage 6 - Er Rachidia to Ouarzazate
21:13 Road penalties
The organisers issued the following statement at Ouarzazate in connection with the road
penalties imposed at Er Rachidia.
"Concerning the radar checks put in place on...

January 2, 2002
Stage 6 - Er Rachidia to Ouarzazate

21:13 Road penalties
The organisers issued the following statement at Ouarzazate in connection with the road
penalties imposed at Er Rachidia.

"Concerning the radar checks put in place on January 1st, 2002.

The Motorcycle Race Directors have taken the decision to apply 50% (both in time and
money) of the penalties as laid down in article 11P2 of the specific regulations of the race.

The competitors concerned will be individually informed."

21:07
Cars - Jean-Louis Schlesser explained the circumstances behind his dramatic retirement: after 40
kms he caught Shinozuka and smelt something strange. He stopped and there was smoke in
the cockpit of the Kangoo. Both he and his co-driver managed to rescue their belongings.
"Today, I decided to attack and I was fast. But I will return next year with the diesel."

11:29
Bike - 161 competitors started this morning. Five kilometres into the stage Flick (No. 22)
suffered electrical problems and again at the 18 kms point. At CP1 the positions were 3, 5, 1,
8 and 9.

Cars - Car no. 311 retired in the bivouac with transmission problems.

13:25
Cars - Coquelle and Becart (No. 261) rolled over in the dunes. Rescue reached them and reported no injuries.

13:37
Bike - Seven riders have crossed the finish line of the special stage and the best time went to
Acarons (No. 2), 48 seconds ahead of Roma (No. 9), 2m 31s to Tiainen (No. 8), 3m 05s to
Meoni (no. 1), 3m 36s to Cox (No. 5), 4m 17s to De Gavardo (No. 3) and 4m 33s to Sainct (No.
6). In the overall standings, Roma has retaken the lead, with an advantage of 1m 38s to
Tiainen, 2m 31s to Acarons, 2m 47s to Cox, 3m 57s to Meoni, 4m 57s to De Gavardo and 5m
15s to Sainct.

Cars - The retirement of Jean-Louis Schlesser (No. 202) has been confirmed this morning. It
appears that the cause was a fire in the Kangoo's diesel engine as a result of a leaking fuel
injection system.

11:29 The bivouac
Bike - 161 competitors started this morning. Five kilometres into the stage Flick (No. 22)
suffered electrical problems and again at the 18 kms point. At CP1 the positions were 3, 5, 1,
8 and 9.